Fort Lauderdale Ranks Among Nation’s Most Dangerous Cities For Night Driving

FORT LAUDERDALE, Flordia (FLAN 35) — Fort Lauderdale ranks among the most dangerous U.S. cities for driving after dark, according to a September 2026 study examining nighttime traffic deaths in 280 cities.

The study by Hines Law found 141 people were killed in nighttime crashes in Fort Lauderdale from 2020 through 2024. Pedestrians accounted for 68 of those deaths, nearly half of everyone killed in nighttime crashes.

Nearly 7 in 10 fatal crashes in Fort Lauderdale occurred after dark, placing the South Florida city fourth nationally in the study’s ranking.

Researchers examined fatal crashes recorded as occurring in darkness and compared nighttime deaths with population figures. The study also considered crashes on roads without street lighting and pedestrian fatalities.

The findings highlight the heightened risks facing pedestrians and drivers after sunset, particularly when visibility is reduced.

A legal expert with Hines Law said nighttime crashes can involve several factors, including driver fatigue, impaired driving and excessive speed.

The expert encouraged drivers to slow down, keep windshields clean and watch the edges of roadways for pedestrians.

The study ranked Memphis, Tennessee, as the nation’s most dangerous city for nighttime driving, followed by Jackson, Mississippi, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Fort Lauderdale.

The research was provided by Hines Law. Data should be credited to Hines Law at hineslaw.org.